3 Points
Cameron makes a point to emphasize that Europe’s transition from warfare to tranquility did not happen overnight and took serious determination and willpower of its people over a span of time.
He also contends that millions of people now live in freedom, from the Baltic to the Adriatic, which was the main purpose of the European Union when it was initially formed. Now, almost a half-century later, the goal of the European Union is to sustain and promote peace and prosperity.
Cameron directs our attention to what he describes as the “urgency and frankness about the European Union and how it must change.” He states that it needs to redirect itself to the goal of delivering prosperity and maintaining the support of its people.
2 Questions
Why do you think Cameron acknowledges the United Kingdom’s reputation for being argumentative and strong-minded? What past experiences may have contributed to the formation of this kind of reputation for the UK?
Why does he say that Britain has come to the EU with a “frame of mind that is more practical than emotional”?
1 Interesting Point
I thought it was interesting that Cameron addressed the European competitiveness.
I also find it interesting that Cameron mentioned the UK’s reputation for being argumentative and competitive, and as we have noted in class, they have a history of being stubborn.
I think that Cameron’s addition of the European competitiveness was very important, as it stressed that Europe, while being very liberal and unified by the EU, still has plenty of innovation, as companies strive for better products and services.
Additionally, the United Kingdom acts similarly to the United States in that they are a powerful and influential nation that is set a part from the majority of countries. Being an island state, the UK has the ability to isolate themselves from Europe if they so choose. However, Cameron believed that Britain’s national interest is best served by being a part of the EU for securing prosperity, stability, freedom, and democracy.
I think that “Britain has come to the EU with a ‘frame of mind that is more practical than emotional'” because of what Cameron acknowledges about the geography of the nation, and how that “has shaped our psychology.” This means that although the UK is distanced from the mainland areas of Europe, they have actively chosen to participate and bring with them their own perspectives that my differ based on geographic differences (that have led to historical differences in the past).